Drug discovery and development (DDD) is the process by which new drugs are discovered, developed and approved for clinical use. It also encompasses the knowledge, skills and techniques required for pursing the process. Many types of job function are involved in the DDD process including, but are not limited to, biologists and chemists (both broadly defined), scientific writer, IP lawyer and project manager (all requiring additional training and credentials), etc.

This Master of Science in Drug Discovery & Development (MS-DDD) is a degree program with eleven courses (minimally 30 semester credit hours) offered by the University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Pharmacy (HSCCP). It is built on our Certificate Program in DDD  and is designed for recent college graduates, current graduate or professional students, and other full-time or part-time students including working professionals to gain a solid knowledge foundation about how drugs and medicines are discovered and developed, to increase student’s understanding of clinical, medical, legal and regulatory affairs of the DDD process, and to enhance student’s managerial and communication skills for real-world applications. The curriculum will prepare students with the appropriate knowledge and skills necessary for working in a variety of bio-pharmaceutical industry and non-industry settings and provide students with a real-world environment for learning, practice and networking. The program is delivered through 80% online didactic courses and 20% on-site training (on campus or at a remote site); it can be completed from one to three years, depending on individual student’s schedule and engagement level.

Note: This MS-DDD degree program does not sponsor F-1 visa for international students. International students can undertake all didactic courses online; you can participate in the on-site training (capstone research or internship practicum) either outside of the US or in the US under proper arrangements with a J-1 or B-1 visa.

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures  

Program Contacts

• For questions about the program, contact: Dr. Eric Cheng, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of Drug Discovery & Development Programs, at Eric.Cheng@unthsc.edu, or call (817) 735-0165.
• Program Office: University of North Texas Health Science Center, HSC College of Pharmacy, RES-340K, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.

Curriculum